Shane's last googly leaves Hampshire fans in a spin

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Flying the nest: Shane Warne has ended his time with the Hawks

English fans have been denied a last 'live' glimpse of a modern legend after Hampshire confirmed yesterday that Shane Warne has prematurely ended his first-class career.

Australian leg-spin maestro Warne, 38, had been due to captain the county for the second half of the season after taking part in the inaugural Indian Premier League series, as player-coach with Jaipur-based Rajasthan Royals.

But having been convinced to join the lucrative Twenty20 enterprise at Hampshire's expense, Warne has now decided to abandon his plans for a farewell stint in the UK.

Although he insisted that it "was not an easy decision to make", expanding business interests have been put first as the second-highest wicket-taker in Tests eases into life after cricket.

Hampshire were at pains to point out that he was also engaged in "charitable activities" and wished to spend more time with his children, but the first line of their lengthy official statement was revealing.

Chairman Rod Bransgrove, who had tried to coax Warne back to the for a last hurrah, said: "This will be a major disappointment to many fans of both Hampshire and Shane but, after much discussion and soul-searching, it has become clear... that Shane can no longer make the commitment required to continue to lead Hampshire."

It will, indeed, be a major disappointment, for enthusiasts around the country. Hampshire's reaction to this unwelcome development was gracious in the extreme but they would be entitled to feel slightly hard done-by. All the marketing of Warne's farewell appearances has gone to waste.

No doubt several new members were enticed by the prospect of watching a global icon bow out — an opportunity now denied them. Warne, with all his magic and his flaws, was pure box office gold.

At the end of Hampshire's statement, almost by way of an apologetic after-thought, it was announced that supporters could say goodbye to Warne when he appeared at an end-of-season dinner.

Heading for the door: Shane Warne will not return to Hampshire

But watching the great man deliver a rousing after-dinner speech cannot compete with seeing him deliver a perfect leg break, as he did so famously to bamboozle Mike Gatting at Old Trafford back in 1993.

The county are also losing an inspirational captain. Bransgrove said: "The most effective and entertaining bowler of all time was also a brilliant leader and strategist. As captain, his influence was instrumental in the development of Hampshire into one of the country's top sides."

For the record, Warne took 276 first-class wickets for Hampshire at an average of 25.59, with a best of seven for 99. He made 2,040 runs, including a highest score of 107.

In his career as a whole, he claimed 1,319 first-class wickets at a cost of 26 runs apiece.

We will never see his like again.

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